Jalen Brunson, Knicks' Contender Status Ripped By NBA Fans in Loss to Mitchell, Cavs

The New York Knicks have yet to beat any of the top three teams in the NBA this season.

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks conceded a 142-105 blowout loss to the conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night at Rocket Arena.

The Knicks, who fell behind early, trailed by 27 points at the half and failed to gain any ground in the final two quarters.

The Cavs rested their starters for most of the fourth but still outscored the Knicks over the final 12 minutes.

The Knicks have now gone 0-6 against the Cavs, Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder so far this season.

That mark has left some fans wondering how likely the Knicks, who signaled they are all in for a deep playoff run with the blockbuster Karl-Anthony Towns trade in September, are to contend for a title this spring.

The Cavaliers were led by 27 points from Donovan Mitchell and 21 from Evan Mobley. Jarrett Allen contributed 10, while Ty Jerome and De'Andre Hunter combined for 35 points off the bench.

The Knicks' scoring was less balanced. Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for almost half of the team's total production, and the New York bench was outscored 70-30 in the loss.

The Cavaliers improve to 46-10 while bettering their case to finish the season over the Celtics as the No. 1 team in the East. The Knicks, who fall to 37-18, still hold a comfortable advantage over the Indiana Pacers for the No. 3 seed in the conference.

The Knicks will get another chance to beat out one of the top two teams in the East during Sunday's afternoon road game against the Celtics.